Towards sustainable and resilient societies through empowered civil society and collaborative innovation (We make transition!)
Contemporary society faces complex ecological and social challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, sudden increases in food prices, pandemics, and the refugee crisis.
The project aims to enhance societal resilience by adapting a transition management methodology based on social and environmental needs. The project will involve local government and civil society organizations from partner regions to learn, adapt, and test the so-called Transition Arena method, promoting bottom-up participatory governance at local and regional levels. The project consortium will engage a large number of local government and civil society organizations from partner regions, fostering bottom-up participatory governance at local and regional levels to address climate resilience, circular economy, and other pressing eco-social issues.
| Title | Towards sustainable and resilient societies through empowered civil society and collaborative innovation |
| Abbreviation | We Make Transition |
| Project number | 442161644 |
| Programme | Interreg Baltic Sea Region 2021-2027 |
Projekta partneri
- The Baltic Institute of Finland (Finland) (vadošais partneris)
- Council of Tampere Region (Finland)
- The Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional (Finland)
- Regional Council of Southwest Finland (Finland)
- Foundation Green Tiger (Estonia)
- Foundation for Science and Liberal Arts Domus Dorpatensis (Estonia)
- Social Innovation Centre (Latvia)
- Baltic Institute for Regional Affairs BISER (Poland)
- City of Gdynia (Poland)
- Trøndelag County Authority (Norway)
- University of Bremen (Germany)
- Vidzeme Planning Region (Latvia)
Asociētie partneri
- Cēsis Municipality (Latvia)
Mērķis
The aim of the project is to strengthen societal resilience and eco-social sustainability by adapting a transition management methodology based on social and environmental needs.Results
- A study of the current situation will be conducted, and an analysis report will be prepared on the role, potential, challenges, and collaboration of eco-social civil society actors with the public sector in the Baltic Sea region.
- Guidelines will be developed for adapting the Transition Arena method to integrate civil society actors into innovation ecosystems for eco-social sustainability.
- A summary report will be developed on the experiences gained from training and knowledge transfer activities.
- A vision for inclusive sustainability in the Baltic Sea region for the year 2040 will be developed.
- Local Transition Arena events will be implemented in partner regions.
- One or two specific co-created transformative community initiatives will be implemented.
- A transnational evaluation of the Transition Arena processes will be conducted.
- Bilateral discussions will be organized with local municipalities to ensure sufficient knowledge on how to use and adapt the project's tools to their needs and strategic processes.
Events
- Research on the current situation and preparation of an analysis report on the role, potential, challenges, and collaboration of eco-social civil society actors with the public sector in the Baltic Sea region.
- Training and knowledge transfer activities will be organized through three online workshops for partners and target groups (regional and local government organizations and civil society representatives) on the following topics: Transition Management; Transition Arena as a strategic tool for systemic change; and Experiences in engaging civil society.
- Three study visits will be organized on successful eco-social innovations and co-creation platforms in partner regions to enhance understanding of the role and status of civil society organizations in different Baltic Sea region countries and to share best practices in engaging and supporting civil society actors working towards eco-social sustainability goals.
- Implementation of a Transition Arena event to create a vision for inclusive sustainability in the Baltic Sea region by 2040, focusing on an inclusive and sustainable society. The event will also generate recommendations on the role and potential of civil society actors in the following key eco-social topics: circular economy and sustainable consumption; energy; food; mobility; social security; and well-being.
- Implementation of local Transition Arena events in partner regions. Based on the vision for inclusive sustainability in the Baltic Sea region by 2040, Arena participants will collaboratively seek concrete solutions to realize the vision. Each local Arena will result in the selection of 1-2 specific co-created transformative community initiatives, which will be implemented with project funding.
- Conduct a transnational evaluation of the Transition Arena processes to ensure that the vision for inclusive sustainability in the Baltic Sea region by 2040 and the Transition Arena method can be used as a long-term vision beyond the project. Organize bilateral discussions with local municipalities to ensure they have sufficient knowledge on how to use the project's tools and adapt them to their needs and strategic processes.
Budget
Project budget: 3 294 541,90 EUR
Co-financed by ERAF: 2 552 070,47 EUR
VPR budget: 186 692,00 EUR
Co-financed by ERAF: 149 353,60 EUR
Implementation time
01.01.2023. - 31.12.2025.
Contact person
Lienīte Priedāja-Klepere (project manager)
Mob.ph.: +371 64219021
E-mail: lienite.priedaja@vidzeme.lv
